Jump Start

What is South Dakota Jump Start?

South Dakota Jump Start is a federally funded First in the World program designed to help students succeed in college by providing them a financial and academic Jump Start. Jump Start Advisors will help students navigate the important first years of college. By identifying and addressing obstacles students face when considering college, advisors provide help and support that makes entering and succeeding in college possible.

How Do I Start?

To get a Jump Start on your education and your life, talk with a Jump Start Advisor when one visits your high school. Your counselor or principal can set this up for you. You also can contact a Jump Start Advisor to set up a personal visit with you and your family.

College - Where Do I Start?

South Dakota Jump Start has a team of Jump Start Advisors who will come to your community, to your school, or even to your home. They will sit down with you and your family and discuss how your college dreams and goals can become reality. They will help you figure out what college has to offer. Then they'll help set up a campus visit for you and your family. They'll help you fill out financial aid paperwork so you have money to use for college. They'll take a look at your high school classes and your grades to make sure you have the preparation you need to start college. And they'll make sure you get signed up for the ACT test. In other words, they'll give you a Jump Start to get on the path to college and they'll be there to offer help and support on the journey.

Am I Ready for College?

A Jump Start Advisor will help you figure out what you can do while you're still in high school to make sure you're ready for college. The results of the ACT test will highlight your strengths, as well as any weaknesses. A Summer Bridge program before your first semester of college will provide pre-college preparation in math or English to make sure you're ready. You'll also get to live on campus for free while you're in the Summer Bridge program. That way, when fall semester arrives, you'll already have new friends and will have learned your way around. You'll know and be working with your Jump Start Advisor, who will assure you can successfully navigate everything from registering for classes to talking with faculty to deciding on a major to accessing other campus services like free tutoring, study groups and academic advising. Living-learning communities will give you priority housing in the residence halls. You'll live with students you know from Jump Start, and also with juniors and seniors who will serve as mentors and help you get involved in campus life, be there to answer questions and support you as you start your college career.

How Will I Pay for College?

South Dakota Jump Start helps make college affordable through a combination of financial aid, scholarships, guaranteed summer employment (beginning the summer before you start college) and money help to pay for textbooks and a laptop computer. The Earn and Learn program helps you pay for college. Prior to your freshman, sophomore and junior years, you will have the opportunity to live on campus, earn college credit and work part time to help pay for your education. During the final summer of the Earn and Learn, you'll be able to take part in other paid opportunities, including campus internships or conducting research in your major with a faculty mentor. Throughout the program, Jump Start Advisors will work with you, your family, school counselors and others to make sure everyone is confident that the necessary financial resources will be available.